How to change the size of icons on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

The modern Xiaomi Redmi and Poco smartphones offer users the widest possible customization of the interface. One of the most popular features is the ability to adjust the size of application icons on the desktop, which allows you to make the screen more informative by placing more shortcuts, or, conversely, increase them for ease of navigation. However, the standard means of the system shell MIUI or HyperOS does not always allow you to flexibly manage the geometry of individual elements.

Many device owners are faced with the fact that after updating the software, the usual settings can disappear or move. It is important to understand that changing the scale of icons is often directly related to changing the density of pixels or font size throughout the system. Global scaling affects not only shortcuts, but also the text in the menu, messages and browser. So the approach to solving the problem must be comprehensive, taking into account all aspects of the interface visualization.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways you can resize icons, from built-in “theme” features to hidden engineering menus, how to safely experiment with display settings to achieve the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality of your Redmi, and we’ll also look at third-party launchers that give you maximum freedom of action.

Standard grid settings and design themes

The safest and easiest way to affect the visual perception of icons is to change the desktop grid. In the MIUI shell, the number of rows and columns directly determines the available space for each shortcut. If you reduce the number of icons in the row, the system automatically increases their size to fill the space that has been vacated. To access these settings, you need to pinch your fingers on the free space of the desktop or pinch the empty area.

In the menu that appears, you should select Settings (cogs) or immediately go to the choice of grid. There are various configurations available, for example, 4x5, 5x6 or 6x9. Choosing a configuration with fewer cells (for example, 4x5) will make the icons larger and more visible. This is a standard method that does not require additional software installation and ensures stable operation of the system.

In addition to grids, the Themes app plays a huge role. Many users don't know that the size and style of the icons are sewn directly into the theme file. By changing the theme, you can drastically change the geometry of the labels. There are filters in the theme catalog that allow you to find designs with large or minimalist icons. When applying a new theme, the system will suggest you choose which components to change: wallpaper, sounds or icons.

⚠️ Warning: When downloading themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, be careful.Some modified themes may contain ad modules or misuse your version of Android, causing the interface to reboot.

For those who like fine-tuning, there is an option to edit individual elements of the theme. In the Themes app, go to profile, select an active theme and click Customize. Here you can change the set of icons to another that is compatible with the current design. Often users install icon packages from popular brands or in the style of Material You, which visually changes the perception of size due to shape and color.

Using the Engineering Menu to Change the DPI

More advanced users who are not satisfied with standard restrictions, the method of changing the density of dots per inch (DPI) is available, which forces the system to recalculate the sizes of all graphic elements, including icons, text and indentations. To access these settings, you will need to log into a special engineering menu through code or settings for developers.

The first step is to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the line MIUI Version or OS Version until you see a message about successful activation. Then go back to the main settings menu, go to Additional → For Developers. In the list of parameters, find the Minimum width (or Smallest width).

Remember or write down the original value of this parameter, so that if you need to, you can get it back. Increasing the number of DPIs will make all the interface elements, including icons, visually smaller, but their number on the screen will increase. Decreasing the DPI value, on the contrary, will lead to the enlargement of all objects. Changes are instant, but may require rebooting the interface.

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Before changing the DPI, write down the original value on paper or take a screenshot. Standard values for Xiaomi smartphones are usually in the range of 360 to 420 dpi. Do not set extremely low values (less than 200), as the interface may become unreadable.

There is also access through the command dialog box if the item in the developer menu is hidden or unavailable. This is done by dialing a special code in the Phone application, which may vary depending on the model and version of the software. Often code ##6484## is used to log into the test menu, but changing the DPI often requires input through adb or specialized applications if the developer menu is limited.

Application of third-party launchers

If the built-in HyperOS or MIUI shell facilities seem too limited, the ideal solution is to install a third-party launcher, which completely replaces the standard desktop, giving access to dozens of settings, including precise control of the size of each icon, indentation and grid.

Popular options are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher. Once you install such an application and assign it to the default launcher, you get access to the appearance settings menu. In the Desktop → Grid section, you can not only select the number of rows, but also set a specific icon size in percentages or pixels, which is impossible in stock firmware.

The advantage of third-party launchers is that you can customize each shortcut individually, so you can make the WhatsApp icon huge and leave the rest small, or change the shape, shadow and background for any application, giving you the maximum freedom to create a unique interface that is tailored to your ergonomic needs.

However, it is worth considering that third-party launchers can consume more battery and RAM resources than standard shell. On low-end Redmi models with a small amount of RAM, this can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications.

Set up font size and zoom

In Android, which is the home of Xiaomi smartphones, font size and screen size are often linked to the size of the interface elements, and by changing these parameters, you can indirectly affect the size of the icons, a technique that is particularly useful for people with low vision, who are critically important to see large controls.

To access the settings, go to Settings → Screen → Text Size. As you move the slider, you will see how not only the text changes, but also the indentations between the elements, as well as the icons themselves in some menus. You can find a deeper setting in Advanced Settings → Special Features → Visual (the path may differ depending on the version of MIUI).

There's also Screen Scaling, which changes the density of the content, and unlike DPI, it works more smoothly and predictably for the average user, and it recalculates the layout files of the interface, making all the elements proportionally larger or smaller, without the risk of breaking the layout of some applications.

⚠️ Note: With a large increase in the scale of the font, some buttons in the applications may become inaccessible or disappear from the screen.Always check the work of frequently used programs after making changes.

Some Redmi models support Lite Mode, which makes it easier to turn on: fonts get as large as possible, icons get bigger, and unnecessary features are hidden, and it's a ready-made solution for the elderly or those who prefer minimalism, and you can switch to this mode through the settings Advanced Settings → Simple Mode.

Editing theme files manually

For real enthusiasts, there is a way to resize icons by editing the theme files. This method requires a file manager with access to system partitions or using a computer. The essence of the method is to unpack the theme file (.mtz format), modify graphic resources and package back.

The files are stored in a hidden folder /MIUI/theme or /Android/data/com.android.thememanager. Inside the archive of the theme are images of icons and XML-files describing their coordinates and sizes by changing the parameters in the file description.xml Or if you replace the images with larger ones, you can get the desired effect.

There are some PC utilities, like MT Manager or online theme editors, that make it easier to visually edit the theme structure, resize the grid in configuration files, and see the result immediately, but remember that any error in the XML syntax can cause the theme to stop being used or the system to go into a reboot cycle.

This method is recommended only for experienced users who understand the structure of Android file systems and are ready to restore the device through Recovery mode in case of problems.

Frequently encountered problems and their solution

When you adjust the size of icons, users may encounter a number of common problems, such as when you change the theme, icons may become blurred or lose their shape, this happens if the theme you choose is not optimized for your screen resolution or contains low-quality graphics, the solution is to look for an alternative theme or use a standard set of icons.

Another common problem is the “grid” of settings after the system update. Xiaomi often changes the interface algorithms in new versions of MIUI and HyperOS, which can cause third-party launchers to stop working correctly or reset the grid settings, in which case cleaning the cache of the Themes application or reconfiguring the launcher helps.

If the icons are too small and you can't get a finger on them, don't panic. Try using voice control or plugging your mouse in through the phone. OTG-Adapter to get to the settings and return the original values, also helps safe mode, which disables all third-party launchers.

⚠️ Warning: If after changing the settings, the phone screen turned black or does not respond to touch, try to perform a forced reboot by pressing the power button on the phone. 10-15 This will return the standard display settings.

Sometimes the problem is not the settings, but the app itself. Some programs have their own responsive icons that may not scale properly at certain screen resolutions, in which case updating the app through Google Play or GetApps helps.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

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The best way to resize icons on Xiaomi is to combine the right design theme and set up the desktop grid, which ensures the stability of the system and the absence of interface errors.